Starkey's already played the "You can't criticise Islam" card, whilst, erm, criticising Islam.

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That subtle admixture of the absurd and the surreally plausible...

Because he brings in the viewers.

How does Orson Scott Card get published despite being an out-spoken homophobe who fights to destroy gay rights in the US? Because he sells.
How does Nick Griffin keep getting mentions in newspapers? Because it gets sales.

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Changin' avatars like there's no tomorrow

Starkey is a MASSIVE cock. That was just uncalled for.

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Changin' avatars like there's no tomorrow

Starkey insulting another member of the audience.
Edit: /\ /\ /\ Althea's too quick for me

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That subtle admixture of the absurd and the surreally plausible...

He's just a bully.

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My blog: https://stevenplrose.wordpress.com/

Majority, shurely? Or was that an unusual bit of honesty?

*Curtsies again*

Yeah, Starkey's comments were just uncalled for. Half-thinking about complaining to OFCOM/The Beeb about him, because his attitude was... shocking.

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Changin' avatars like there's no tomorrow

You can bet Starkey is one of these who moans about footballers setting a bad example. Carlisle should accuse rightwing historians of doing that.

Fuck. An entire episode dominated by "that puffed-up yaffle-voiced bigoted old wet wankrag"
(thanks, Stebax on Twitter).

Nuff said.

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I'm a nasty, violent lefty. You cunt.

Boris Johnson tweeted he wished David Starkey was his uncle before promptly deleting it.

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My blog: https://stevenplrose.wordpress.com/

His point about the need for mature, adult and open debate was sound - right up to the point that he ruined it by insulting anyone he disagreed with.

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That subtle admixture of the absurd and the surreally plausible...

Anyway, I only watched about half of that episode (when I started posting is when I started watching) and I was shocked.

Starkey was... beyond logic. He was rude, dominating, loud, offensive and everything else. For a historian - one who used his sexuality in an argument on top of that - he's incredibly closed minded. Someone here alerted me (via a post, and indirectly) that he was a racist and so forth, but I didn't expect that. I do worry, though. He is - or perhaps was before this went out - a respected figure and his position as a TV historian does give him some measure of "correctness", as it were, and I feel he's abused said position and power with his DM-worthy comments.

The Tory bloke - Eh. He was a politician and spoke in politician-speak. Not quite sure if he ever made a point.

Lib Dem woman - Not sure about her either.

Clarke - Best out of them all. Prone to waffling and tangents a bit, but seemed very down-to-Earth and sensible.

Other lady - She didn't really say much.

I laughed when Dimbleby slapped Starkey down towards the end by treating him like a baby "Be patient!"

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Changin' avatars like there's no tomorrow

These are the high standards Starkey has reached before, Althea:

http://www.fivechinesecrackers.com/2011 ... butoh.html

Wonderful takedown of Starkey's defenders by 5CC, if anyone hasn't seen it yet.

And an equally wonderful follow up re Diane Abbot:

http://www.fivechinesecrackers.com/2012 ... -like.html

John Redwood actually talked about fair taxes on the rich and lowering the rate to 40% (New Labour rates), other than that I switched off.

Rachel Reeves - took the populist stance on taxation (lowering VAT and helping small business) talked sense on the NHS. Decent opposition display.

Jo Swinson - She lost me at her support for NHS reform. Typical Lib Dem nonsense in line with the coalition.

I've probably said enough about how truly vile Mr Starkey is, Clarke Carlisle was very impressive, articulate and level headed given who else was on the panel. Took a populist line on the troops. However, I feel it was probably pandering the Dacre Drips in the audience. Pretty right wing all round, not too many left wing voices this week. Was some good points about Islamophobia and tax avoidance.

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My blog: https://stevenplrose.wordpress.com/

According to Dimbers next week panel with consist of Eric Pickles and Will Young. Has Pickles only agreed to appear as long as there are no other politicians on the panel?

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www.newshuddlines.blogspot.com